Locals at <a title="Local People in Philippines Build Gorgeous Bamboo Bridge" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davao_City" target="_blank">Davao</a>, Philippines, needed a footbridge for crossing the Matina River and instead of waiting for the government to step in they decided to build it themselves. Using what they had at hand (plenty of <a title="Local People in Philippines Build Gorgeous Bamboo Bridge" href="http://inhabitat.com/bamboo-wing-is-a-sculptural-vietnamese-restaurant-immersed-in-water/" target="_blank">bamboo</a>) and helped by several architects – including bamboo-master Andrea Fitrianto -- they built a gorgeous new bridge.

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Andrea Fitrianto and locals build Bamboo Bridge in Philipines

To build the Matina River’s footbridge the volunteers selected Dendrocalamus asper bamboo, which grows around the city’s outskirts.

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Andrea Fitrianto and locals build Bamboo Bridge in Philipines

After bringing the fast-growing canes on site, they treated the material to accomplish a plagues-free long-lasting structure.

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Andrea Fitrianto and locals build Bamboo Bridge in Philipines

Led by traditional Indonesian bamboo carpenters, the building of the bridge provided local people with new skills and a bigger sense of community.

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Andrea Fitrianto and locals build Bamboo Bridge in Philipines

To make it even stronger and long lasting, the main joints where held with bolts and cement was poured inside the canes.

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Andrea Fitrianto and locals build Bamboo Bridge in Philipines

To make it stable and grounded, reinforced concrete made a good base on each side.

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Andrea Fitrianto and locals build Bamboo Bridge in Philipines

The Bamboo Bridge (Tulay na Kawayan) is a beautiful example of what co-working and a bit of craftsmanship can achieve in a month.

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Andrea Fitrianto and locals build Bamboo Bridge in Philipines

Locals at Davao, Philippines, needed a footbridge for crossing the Matina River and instead of waiting for the government to step in they decided to build it themselves. Using what they had at hand (plenty of bamboo) and helped by several architects – including bamboo-master Andrea Fitrianto -- they built a gorgeous new bridge.